75-percent chance Rutgers’ leading rusher plays vs. Cincinnati

As Rutgers prepares for a game that will go a long way in determining the Big East’s 2012 champion, the Scarlet Knights may be without its top offensive weapon. Or they may not. One of the two.

Running back Jawan Jamison suffered a sprained ankle in the third quarter of last Saturday’s win over Army and left the game. While he ultimately returned to the game, Jamison has been very limited during practice this week due to the injury.

Following Thursday’s practice, head coach Kyle Flood said there was a 75-percent chance the back plays against Cincinnati Saturday.

“I don’t know if it’s 100 percent just yet,” Flood said. “I’ve seen these kind of things go both ways. It wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t react well to it, it wouldn’t surprise me if he didn’t react well to what he did today. But we’re a little more optimistic after today.”

Flood added that, if the game were today, Jamison would be a no-go.

Jamison currently leads Rutgers in rushing with 953 yards; the Scarlet Knights have rushed for just 1,173 as a team. He’s also third on the team in receiving yards (304).

If Rutgers wins its last three games, the Scarlet Knights would claim their first-ever Big East title. A loss this weekend to the Bearcats would leave three teams with one loss in conference play — Rutgers, Cincinnati and Louisville.